Children's Home run by Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council in Bolton

SC040723 Unique reference number 15 September 2009 Inspection date David Martin Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children's Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Cripins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcome for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and relevant National Minimum Standards for the establishment.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is strong Good: this aspect of the provision is sound Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is not good enough Inadequate: 3 of 7 Inspection Report: SC040723

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is registered to accommodate up to four young people of either sex between the ages of 10 and 17 years.

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Brief description of the service

It comprises two connected three bedroom semi-detached houses. It provides two lounges, a separate dining room, kitchen and utility room on the ground floor and two bathrooms both with bath and shower upstairs. All the bedrooms are single and there are two staff sleep in rooms also used as offices during the day.

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Summary

This unannounced inspection was carried out to assess the home's performance against all key standards and to consider progress made in relation to previous recommendations and actions.

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Summary

In general the home is operating to a good standard. There is a commitment to ensuring that young people are safe and that care and support is provided in a well planned, consistent way. The staff are well trained and competent practitioners. The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the home has taken action to comply with a recommendation concerning the administration of medicines. They are now administered in a way which is accountable and safe.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The young people are provided with well balanced, healthy meals. Depending on age and ability, they are supported to prepare meals with staff support. Their food preferences are recorded and taken into account in drawing up the weekly menu. The young people are encouraged to make suggestions for meals to be included on the menu.

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Helping children to be healthy

The young people's health care needs are met. There is detailed medical information held on individual files and health care plans have been drawn up. The home has well established partnership arrangements with a number of health care agencies including the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service and the Emotional Health Team. Confidential support is available to the young people concerning sexual health and drug and alcohol misuse. Young people's primary health care needs are met and the staff team participate in health care training, enabling them to give appropriate advice to young people. These arrangements ensure that the health of young people is promoted well.

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Helping children to be healthy

The home's systems for the storage and administration of medication are well organised and secure. The home has taken action to improve the way in which medication is stored and to ensure that all medication can be accounted for. Young people are given medication safely. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC040723

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The privacy and dignity of young people is respected. Each young person has a private lockable bedroom and access to lockable bathing facilities. All records are held securely and staff have a good understanding of issues of confidentiality.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There have been no complaints in the period since the last inspection. Young people have been provided with information about how to complain and how to access the local advocacy service. The home has appropriate and clear procedures and leaflets for young people explaining how complaints will be dealt with and resolved.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are robust procedures for managing any child protection concerns that arise in the home. The staff are aware of their responsibilities to protect children from abuse and are confident about reporting disclosures and their observations of young people. There are no ongoing issues of bullying in the home. Anti-bullying information is freely available and has been approved by external agencies and the young people themselves. There are appropriate procedures and risk assessments in place to manage incidents of young people absconding from the home. Young people are protected from abuse with these measures in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff encourage positive behaviour through discussion with the young people on an individual basis in keyworker sessions. They also ensure that the unit is run in a relaxed, good humoured, respectful way. There is limited use of restraints and the imposition of sanctions. The staff have completed training in using safe holds during incidents of restraint and using low arousal techniques to diffuse challenging behaviour. The home's approach helps young people avoid becoming involved in anti-social behaviour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are safely maintained. Staff are appropriately vetted prior to starting employment. They are supervised at regular intervals and have good access to training. This contributes to the overall safety of the young people.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The young people receive support and guidance in accordance with their individual needs. There are very well organised case records and comprehensive care plans. The care plans follow Every Child Matters outcomes and ensure that care and support is delivered in a consistent way. All documentation is subject to regular review to ensure that it is up to date and relevant. There is an effective keyworker system in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The home is committed to ensuring that the educational needs of young people are met. The young people benefit from support provided by the Looked After Children's Education Team. Individual Care plans clearly set out the way in h the home will encourage young people to stay in education. In addition there are up to date Personal Education Plans held on file. Staff support the young people to acquire independent living skills within the home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC040723 The care and support young people receive is subject to regular statutory review. Young people can attend their reviews if they wish to. Where they do not attend they are represented by a member of staff who will act as their advocate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The home is committed to promoting contact as appropriate and in accordance with any decisions made by the courts. Contact arrangements are held on file to ensure that all staff are aware of any pertinent issues. The arrangements ensure that contact takes place as safely as possible and in line with young people's wishes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are encouraged and supported to make decisions about their lives and can contribute their ideas to the way in which the home runs on a day to day basis. The home has made sure that none of the young people are excluded from this process. Placements are well planned and there are appropriate arrangements in place to ensure that young people are to move on from the home in a positive way.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The arrangements identified above ensure that young people are supported and enabled to make a positive contribution.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is satisfactory. There are appropriate arrangements in place to assist young people's transition to adulthood. Each young person has a life skills plan and, depending on their age, a pathway plan. The arrangements ensure that young people are able to leave care in a planned way and receive ongoing support.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is comfortably furnished but has been subject to a high level of wear and tear in recent months. The authority has identified a need to refurbish the home but there are currently no firm plans in place. Young people do not live in well maintained premises.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The promotion of equality and diversity is good.

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Organisation

The statement of purpose has been reviewed and is up to date and accurate. It clearly sets out the arrangements for the way in which the home is run. There is a good children's guide to the home which explains what it is like to live in the home. This ensures that young people are aware of the service they can expect.

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Organisation

The home has a competent experienced staff team. The staff have childcare qualifications and access to ongoing training which ensures that their practice is up to date. They receive monthly supervision and have regular staff meetings. There are always sufficient staff on duty to ensure that young people have access to support and guidance.

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Organisation

The home is subject to regular quality monitoring visits which assess the home's performance and identify areas for improvement. This ensures that young people continue to receive a good service and live in a home that is safe. 6 of 7 Inspection Report: SC040723

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person meets the Care Standards Act 2000, The Childrens Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider must comply with the given timescales.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that the premises are maintained in good order. (NMS 24) 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC040723

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